Puget Sound
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Puget Sound is an arm of the Pacific Ocean in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. It was named by George Vancouver for Lieutenant Peter Puget, who explored its southern end in May 1792. Vancouver claimed it for Great Britain on June 4, 1792. It became part of the Oregon Country, and became U.S. territory when the 1846 Oregon Treaty was signed. The Native American name for it is Whulge.
The United States Geological Survey defines Puget Sound as a bay with numerous channels and branches. The Puget Sound is a large salt water estuary fed by freshwater from the Olympic and Cascade Mountain watersheds. It extends 144 km (90 miles) south from the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Olympia, Washington; the northern boundary is formed, at its main entrance, by a line between Point Wilson on the Olympic Peninsula and Point Partridge on Whidbey Island; at a second entrance called Deception Pass, between West Point on Whidbey Island, Deception Island, and Rosario Head on Fidalgo Island; at a third entrance, the south end of Swinomish Channel between Fidalgo Island and McGlinn Island.[1] (http://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnis/web_query.GetDetail?tab=Y&id=1507653) These islands are part of a group of islands known as the San Juan Islands. A unique state-run ferry system, the Washington State Ferries, connects the larger islands to the Washington mainland, as well as both sides of the sound, allowing cars and people to move about the region.
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The urban region of the same name is centered around Seattle, Washington and consists of nine counties, two urban center cities and four satellite cities. Both urban core cities have large industrial areas and seaports plus a high-rise central business district. The satellite cities are primarily suburban, featuring a small downtown core and a small industrial area or port. The suburbs consist mostly of residences, strip malls, and shopping centers.
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Environment
Main article: Puget Sound environmental issues
Geography
Counties
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- Island County
- Jefferson County
- King County
- Kitsap County
- Mason County
- Pierce County
- Skagit County
- Snohomish County
- Thurston County
In addition, the San Juan Islands (all of San Juan County plus a few islands belonging to Whatcom County) are often considered part of the greater Puget Sound area.
Prominent islands
Urban centers
Satellite cities
Largest suburbs (in order from greatest to least population)
- Kent
- Federal Way
- Lakewood
- Shoreline
- Renton
- Redmond
- Kirkland
- Auburn
- Edmonds
- Sammamish
- Lynnwood
- Puyallup
- Burien
- Lacey
- Bothell
- University Place
- Des Moines
- Marysville
- Mercer Island
- Bainbridge Island
- Oak Harbor
- Kenmore
- Mukilteo
- Tukwila
- Silverdale